I know this was highly anticipated, so I will not keep you guys waiting any longer. The next group of running backs will bring joy to some and tears to others. I would guess that a full 30% of these players (3 out of 10 for those who can't do math) will be busts this year. Who will you take a chance on? 11. Edgerrin James (Indianapolis) - Many of you wondered how he didn't make my top 10. He's in a great offensive system, he's shown flashed of brilliance, and is a strong runner with tons of opportunities. I agree with all of that, but I do question his heart. He thought of retiring a few seasons ago and then was injured. I was impressed that he even bothered to rehab and come back to the game. Maybe now he has something to prove... or maybe he just wants a few more paychecks... 12. Ricky Williams (Miami) - Ricky has so much talent and maybe his new hair cut will help him exploit it. For some reason he hasn't been quite the fit that most fantasy owners were salivating over just a few seasons ago when he was traded to Miami. Last season he struggled and didn't look like the #1 pick overall that he was in most leagues. He runs hard, is quick, and can catch, but last season, he was pounded weekly and didn't see much daylight. Hopefully with some improvements to the Offensive Line, he can return to form. I'm sure he'll be good for 1100 rushing and 350 receiving and about 10 total touchdowns, but can he explode for that extra 500 total yards and 5 additional touchdowns? 13. Michael Bennett (Minnesota) - Most of you will be surprised by this pick, but let me tell you that this guy is for real. He's smallish so he may not have a long career in the NFL, but Minnesota loves to run that ball and Bennett is their first option. He's superfast and reads the hole extremely well. He can run after the catch and has quick feet. He will surprise some fantasy owners with some big games against some week defenses in the NFC North. 14. Travis Henry (Buffalo) - He's a goal line monster that runs hard between the tackles. He's a grind-it-out smash mouth runner with a quick burst. He's been consitant at Buffalo and he'd be hard to pass up in the second round of your fantasy draft, but there a few things that must be considered before taking Henry on draft day. Willis Magahee is a physcial specimen that Coach Mularkey won't keep down long. They will find ways to get him involved in the offense and that spells trouble for Henry. This could be Henry's last productive year as a Bill, so be careful when you draft him, he may be one of the busts if he ends up in a RBBC situation. 15. Garrison Hearst (Denver) - Some of you may scoff at this pick, but don't be too quick to judge. I agree that Hearst is getting up there in years and has Tatum Bell breathing down his neck, but I do believe that he will get his chance. And as well as most backs do in Denver's system, it would be hard for me to be convinced that Hearst won't do well just the same. He has great hands and is a very smart player. Most of his speed is gone so he won't be breaking very many long runs this year, but if used even 75% of the time, he will be a very productive back in that system. 16. Tiki Barber (New York Giants) - Barber is on the downside of his career, but there's really no reason to think he's done just yet. He catches the ball well, runs hard, and should be used quite a bit by Coughlin. His fumbling is a problem, but ultimately opportunity will outweigh his fumblitis. Barber will touch the ball around 300 times this season and I'm sure he'll lose a few times, but if he makes the most of his chances, he'll be a great addition to your fantasy team. 17. Marshall Faulk (St. Louis) - I'm sure I'll catch hell for this, but Marshall just ain't what he used to be. I know I won't be taking the risk by drafting him this year. He's had chronic knee problems that they are saying were cured this offseason by the removal of a flap of loose cartilage. Hmmm... I'm sure he's in less pain, but can he return to form and play even 13 of the 16 regular season games? I'm not sold. Someone will draft him and maybe he'll even prove me wrong and have 2000 yards and 20+ TD's. I'm not willing to find out.... Are you? 18. Domanick Davis (Houston) - Davis has tons of upside and only lack of experience and a young team around him makes him my 18th running back. One season does not a stud running back make. But do it again, and you'll be in my top 10! I have every confidence that Davis can better his performance and be great for a long time. This spot will be too low, but without much history, I hate to jack his placement up too far. 19. Kevan Barlow (San Francisco) - This is the first back that fell 10 spots because of the team he plays for. I am under the belief that the 49ers could be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year. And without a good QB under center, opposing defenses will most likely stack the line and make life for Barlow less than pleasant. He's powerful, fast, and reads the hole extremely well, but if there's no hole to read, he might struggle this year. 20. Rudi Johnson (Cincinnati) - What a great story Johnson was last year. It was great to see someone else emerge in what was Corey Dillon's team for years. Johnson is another good back in an average or below situation. Some people believe that Cincinnati will continue to get better. I would agree with the exception of this season. I think, like Dallas, they will take one step backwards this year to take two steps forward next year. Johnson should be productive this year, but without really knowing what Palmer will do, there's no way to gauge how much success Rudi will have. I hope everyone is not too disappointed with my choices. There will be a final list to this trilogy coming soon. I'll round it out with the final 10 and possibly a few sleepers.
I just think Hearst was too high. he won't be scoring many TD's this season with Mike Anderson there. I would almost gaurentee they won't waste hearst around the goaline and I think by week 4-5 just as portis did Tatum Bell will have learned to hold on to the ball and be the every down back....while still losing some goaline carries as well
I think you might be right, but there's risk in every pick after the top 7 IMO. Hearst continued to surprise me in San Francisco by holding Barlow off. He might be a sleeper this year because most people think Bell will step in within a month... It's a wait and see situation.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Steelerfan_2004)</div><div class='quotemain'>17. Marshall Faulk (St. Louis) - I'm sure I'll catch hell for this, but Marshall just ain't what he used to be. I know I won't be taking the risk by drafting him this year. He's had chronic knee problems that they are saying were cured this offseason by the removal of a flap of loose cartilage. Hmmm... I'm sure he's in less pain, but can he return to form and play even 13 of the 16 regular season games? I'm not sold. Someone will draft him and maybe he'll even prove me wrong and have 2000 yards and 20+ TD's. I'm not willing to find out.... Are you? </div> I'll back you up on this one SF. I was more or less forced to take Faulk last year in our league and was hurt by it. He still put up good numbers overall, but there has been less and less consistency each year. Scoring 30 points one week, 5 the next, and 5 the next looks good overall, but it doesn't help the record. Faulk will have Stephen Jackson spelling him this year too. Which might make for a good position followup....rookie impacts.
